Senate President Bukola Saraki says the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, can wear jeans and T-shirt to his office if he can work towards ending smuggling activities in all the borders in the country. Saraki said this when he declared open the Senate’s public hearing on ‘Smuggling – A threat to Nigeria’s quest to self sufficiency in rice production’ which held at the National Assembly Abuja yesterday.
Speaking directily to Hameed who was in attendance, Saraki said: “Once you end smuggling, even if you want to wear jeans and T-shirt, I will personally move the motion to support you”.
Recall that the Senate and the Customs boss have been in a running battle following the latter’s refusal to appear before the house wearing the uniform meant for all Customs officers. The senate had argued that if Hameed wants to lead the agency, he must abide by all the laws of the agency, one of which is wearing the uniform meant for all the workers. Hameed however says he is a retired military officer and cannot be wearing a Customs uniform.